Does anyone have experience with eBay multi-tools?
 

I'm thinking of getting this multi - tool mainly because it costs almost no money. - BOI Bike Tool Multi Tool Mini Repair Tool Pocket Tool Folding Tool 16 IN 1 | eBay

Does anyone have experience with this, or can you recommend me one that is inexpensive?

Ebay doesn't make or sell anything. They just carry listings from sellers. As such you need to check each specific item for reviews. Here's the same item on Amazon's site with 25 reviwews. Happy reading.

Ask yourself how good a tool can be for less than $3, particularly when it has 16 different blades. You may wind up damaging components on your bike that cost a lot more than the tool. As the cliché goes, only a rich man can afford cheap tools.

Hi, thank you for the link. Unfortunately, I do not see any reviews on the link provided.

The price is too low for it to be good at all.

It's weird. Earlier there were 25 reviews with an average of 4/5 stars. They ran, form "total piece of crap that fell apart" to a number of "I didn't expect much at the price and was very pleasantly surprised.

All in all, it probably depends on what you want out of it. IMO- these kinds of tools aren't well suited to everyday use as basic repair tools. But if you're looking for something to use for light emergency field repairs and adjustments, it's probably more than adequate.

What you need to think about isn't pice and quality as much as what you need and how you'll use it. Odds are you don't need half of the 16 functions, and so might look for a simpler tool that does less better (or cheaper, or is lighter/smaller).

Otherwise, this price doesn't buy muh, but then again you don't need much either.

Very true. What would your recommendation be for an inexpensive multi tool? I want to have a versatile tool that I can use for basic repairs on and off the road. I also do not have quick release tires, so the tool would have to address that issue. Someone recommended the Hexus 2.

I own one. Not a bad little tool. Beats paying $20 for something similar from Crank Bros or something.

I think I may know what happened to the reviews on Amazon. Sometimes they carry and display the thing a number of times due to carrying it for different sellers. You may pull up one with a hundred reviews, and the identical add that is for the same thing from someone else may have none. Hope this helps.

BTW - Three dollar, probably made in China tool? Nothing that I would have any faith in.

For myself, multi-tools don't cut the mustard.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=425677

Have you actually used all that stuff on the trail? Can't see the need for quite a bit of it, and there's some duplication. why you would ever need an MLP out of a workshop environment? A decent multi tool (Park/Topeak/Crank Bros etc) and a Leatherman/Gerber tool could eliminate a lot of what you are carrying. The Joby looks to be missing the clip, hope that's attached to your Camera.

Yes, I have used all of those tools on the trail. I have not found a multi-tool that could effectively replace all these tools.

Impressed you have used them all; that looks to be a self adjusting wrench next the the MLP, wondering what that's used for, as can't think of any reason where one would be anywhere near any modern bike.

First of all, this tool won't likely be selling for the current bid price. As soon as you or someone else places a bid, the price will likely go up on higher bids. ( Although it's not a name brand, nobody may want something that many would describe as a "disposable" tool. ) When quality tools are easily being sold for ten times that amount and will last indefinitely unless abused by their owner, that should be a sign that the tool is likely junk to work with. You'd likely wind up ruining a screw or bolt on your bike and rounding the edges on the hand tool when using it. I'd suggest saving your money up and buying a good quality either new or used bike "multi-tool", or carrying the few tools you'd need for road repairs, which more than likely would be a tube patching kit, wheel removal tools if you don't have quick release hubs, and a chain repair tool. All this needs to be quality equipment unless you want to get frustrated along the side of a road, and needing help from someone else. There's an old saying I've always found to be very true..."You get exactly what you paid for!" Quality tools that are used for the purpose intended, should last you for many years! You can find quality tools on eBay just by searching for the one you want and watching the bidding. I purchased a Topeak Alien 23 tool multi-tool about two years ago on eBay that was new in the retail packaging for $30, including shipping. I've seen this same tool retail for $40 to $45. It has everything I'd need for on the go repairs and will last for years. So buy quality tools and buy it once. As long as you use them correctly and don't lose them. they'll be around for years!

I love those mult-position pliers! I helped a guy seat the nose of his seat back onto the rail with those pliers. The remainder of his ride would have been extremely uncomfortable.

One of My Friends brought a Light, cheap chain Tool *, then.. when in the Andean Foothills in Argentina ..
He still had to seek out a Nail and use a Rock , instead, when the Tool Broke .

* I had given him a reliable But Heavier one,..

Ha! I found an old galvanized truss nail on the trail a long time ago. I keep it in my pack for reasons I'm not exactly sure of, yet. Slaying werewolves or vampires, maybe. :)

He had to try to figure out the Spanish phrase For 'Do You Have a Spare nail,... like the House was Built with"?

A multi-tool is supposed to be used in getting out of jams (for the most part). Don't create additional headache issues by buying a dirt cheap one. I carry a Lezyne stainless steel tool that I found for $15 on Craigslist because the seller was getting out of cycling due to neck issues. Search around and buy a decent multi-tool. You won't regret it!